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United States Patent |
5,024,034
|
Gailey
|
June 18, 1991
|
Non-directional suspended ceiling panels
Abstract
A new and useful latch structure for suspending ceiling panels from a grid
of inverted T-beam support members. The latch structure comprises a
relatively rigid, hook-shaped member which is coupled to a respective
ceiling panel so as to move with the ceiling panel relative to the
inverted T-beam support members. Each hook-shaped member can tilt, or
pivot, relative to its respective ceiling panel. Each hook-shaped latch
member is biased by gravity toward a locking position. As a ceiling panel
is brought upward against an inverted T-beam support member, the inverted
T-beam support member engages the hook-shaped latch member and tilts the
latch member away from its locking position, to allow the latch member to
clear the inverted T-beam support member. Once the hook-shaped latch
member clears the transverse leg of the inverted T-beam support member,
the latch member tilts, or pivots, under the influence of gravity, to its
locking position. In that position, a locking portion of the latch member
will engage the top side of the transverse leg of the T-beam support
member, and suspend the ceiling panel from the T-beam support member. An
access opening in the ceiling panel enables the hook-shaped latch member
to be disengaged from the inverted T-beam member. The access opening is
designed to allow any handy implement (e.g., pencil, screwdriver, etc.) to
be inserted therethrough to tilt the latch member away from its locking
position, to enable the latch structure to be disengaged from the T-beam
support member. The ceiling panel can then be readily removed from the
inverted T-beam support member.
Inventors:
|
Gailey; J. Lynn (Clover, SC)
|
Assignee:
|
Alcan Aluminum Corporation (Cleveland, OH)
|
Appl. No.:
|
444624 |
Filed:
|
December 1, 1989 |
Current U.S. Class: |
52/506.07; 52/509 |
Intern'l Class: |
E06B 003/54 |
Field of Search: |
52/484,489,712,762,763,768,485,486,476,509,144,714,773,775
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
1850735 | Mar., 1932 | Venzie | 52/485.
|
3720432 | Mar., 1973 | Chudler | 52/484.
|
3934387 | Jan., 1976 | Moeller | 52/714.
|
4463537 | Aug., 1984 | Rodriquez et al. | 52/489.
|
4471593 | Sep., 1984 | Ragland | 52/509.
|
4520607 | Jun., 1985 | Suchow | 52/489.
|
4696141 | Sep., 1987 | Nassof | 52/484.
|
4736564 | Apr., 1988 | Gailey | 52/484.
|
4760677 | Aug., 1988 | Nassof | 52/484.
|
Primary Examiner: Scherbel; David A.
Assistant Examiner: Smith; Creighton
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Calfee, Halter & Griswold
Claims
I claim:
1. Apparatus comprising an inverted T-beam support member, a ceiling panel,
and a latch structure for suspending the ceiling panel from the inverted
T-beam support member;
said latch structure being coupled with said ceiling panel and being
movable therewith relative to said inverted T-beam support member;
said latch structure being moveable relative to said ceiling panel and
being biased by gravity toward a locking position;
said latch structure being adapted to engage the inverted T-beam support
member to suspend said portion of said ceiling panel therefrom when said
ceiling panel is in a predetermined orientation relative to said inverted
T-beam support member and said latch structure is in said locking
position; and
said latch structure being adapted to be moved relative to said ceiling
panel and away from said locking position to enable said ceiling panel to
be suspended from or separated from the inverted T-beam support member;
wherein said latch structure includes a locking portion extending away from
said ceiling panel when said latch structure is in said locking position;
said locking portion being disposed to be engaged by an inverted T-beam
support member as said ceiling panel is being moved to said predetermined
orientation relative to said inverted T-beam support member;
said latch structure being movable away from said locking position by
engagement of said locking portion of said latch structure with said
inverted T-beam support member as said ceiling panel is being moved to
said predetermined orientation; and
said latch structure being biased by gravity to its locking position when
said ceiling panel has been moved to said predetermined orientation, to
enable said latch structure to support said ceiling panel from said
inverted T-beam member when said ceiling panel has been moved to said
predetermined orientation.
2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said latch structure comprises
a relatively rigid hook-shaped latch member which is coupled with the
ceiling panel and adapted to tilt relative to said ceiling panel;
said hook-shaped latch member having a base portion and said locking
portion integral therewith;
said base portion being disposed on the inside of said ceiling panel and
said locking portion extending outside said ceiling panel;
said base portion being heavier than said locking portion, so that said
base portion exerts a gravitational force on said hook-shaped latch member
which biases said hook-shaped latch member to said locking position;
the relative rigidity of said hook-shaped latch member causing the
hook-shaped latch member to tilt as a rigid body relative to said ceiling
panel when said locking portion is engaged by said inverted T-beam support
member to tilt said hook-shaped latch member away from its locking
position and when said hook-shaped latch member is returned to its locking
position under its gravitational bias.
3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said ceiling panel has a main
body portion and a side wall extending at an angle to said main body
portion;
said side wall having an insertion opening for receiving said hook-shaped
latch member as said hook-shaped latch member is being coupled with said
ceiling panel;
said hook-shaped latch member being adapted to hook around an edge of said
insertion opening in said side wall to couple said hook-shaped latch
member to said ceiling panel; and
said hook-shaped latch member being adapted to tilt about said edge of said
insertion opening in said side wall when said hook-shaped latch member is
coupled with said ceiling panel.
4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said base portion of said
hook-shaped latch member has retaining means adapted to preclude said base
portion from being removed from said insertion opening unless said base
portion and said retaining means are disposed in predetermined orientation
relative to said insertion opening.
5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said side wall of said ceiling
panel includes an access opening spaced from said insertion opening, said
base portion of said hook-shaped latch member being disposed proximate to
said access opening when said latch is in its locking position, said
access opening being located to enable an implement to extend therethrough
to exert a force against said base portion of said hook-shaped latch
member to tilt said hook-shaped latch member against its gravitational
bias and away from its locking position, thereby to enable said ceiling
panel to be separated from said inverted T-beam support member.
6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said hook-shaped latch member
is integrally formed of aluminum.
7. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said apparatus comprises a grid
comprising a plurality of inverted T-beam support members, a plurality of
ceiling panels located below said grid, and latch structure coupled to
each of the ceiling panels for enabling each of the ceiling panels to be
suspended from or separated from the inverted T-beam support members of
the grid.
8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said plurality of ceiling
panels, when suspended from said grid, combine to form a substantially
continuous ceiling.
9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein each latch structure comprises
a relatively rigid hook-shaped latch member coupled with a respective
ceiling panel;
each hook-shaped latch member being adapted to tilt as a relatively rigid
body relative to its respective ceiling panel as the ceiling panel is
being suspended from or separated from an inverted T-beam support member
of said grid.
10. Apparatus comprising a grid comprising a plurality of inverted T-beam
support members, a plurality of ceiling panels located below said grid,
and latch structure coupled to each of the ceiling panels for enabling
each of the ceiling panels to be suspended from or separated from the
inverted T-beam support members of the grid;
said plurality of ceiling panels, when suspended from said grid, combining
to form a substantially continuous ceiling;
the latch structure coupled with each ceiling panel being biased by gravity
toward a locking position relative to its respective ceiling panel; and
the latch structure coupled with each ceiling panel being movable against
the influence of gravity and relative to its respective ceiling panel to
enable its respective ceiling panel to be suspended from or separated from
the inverted T-beam support members of the grid without requiring
suspension or separation of any adjacent ceiling panels from the inverted
T-beam support members of the grid;
wherein each latch structure comprises a relatively rigid hook-shaped latch
member coupled with a respective ceiling panel;
each hook-shaped latch member being adapted to tilt as a relatively rigid
body relative to its respective ceiling panel as the ceiling panel is
being suspended from or separated from an inverted T-beam support member
of said grid;
wherein each ceiling panel has a main body portion and a side wall
extending away from said main body portion;
said side wall having an insertion opening and an access opening therein;
the hook-shaped latch member associated with the ceiling panel being hooked
about the insertion opening of the ceiling panel to couple the hook-shaped
latch member with the ceiling panel;
the hook-shaped latch member being adapted to tilt relative to an edge of
the insertion opening; and
the access opening being located to enable an implement to be inserted
therethrough and against the hook-shaped latch member to tilt said
hook-shaped latch member against its gravitational bias.
11. Apparatus comprising a ceiling panel having a main body portion and a
side wall connected with the main body portion and extending at an angle
relative thereto, and a latch structure coupled with the ceiling panel and
movable therewith;
said side wall having an insertion opening;
said latch structure comprising a relatively rigid, hook-shaped latch
member having a base portion and a locking portion;
said base portion being insertable through said insertion opening, said
hook-shaped latch member being hooked around an edge of said insertion
opening and being adapted to tilt thereabout relative to said ceiling
panel;
said base portion being heavier than said locking portion so that said base
portion biases said hook-shaped latch member to a locking position
relative to said cutting panel;
said locking portion extending outward from said side wall and at an acute
angle thereto when said hook-shaped latch member is in said locking
position; and
said hook-shaped latch member being tiltable to a position in which said
locking portion is disposed substantially adjacent said side wall in
order, as said ceiling panel is being suspended from or separated from an
inverted T-beam support member.
12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said side wall has an access
opening located to enable an implement to extend therethrough to engage
the hook-shaped member and to tilt the hook-shaped latch member against
its gravitational bias.
13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said hook-shaped member in
integrally formed of aluminum.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
This application relates to a system for suspending ceiling panels from a
grid formed of inverted T-beam support members, and particularly to a
special latch structure for suspending the ceiling panels from the
inverted T-beam support members. The latch structure enables the ceiling
panels to be simply and efficiently connected and disconnected from the
inverted T-beam support members in a manner which is "non-directional",
i.e., in a way which does not require attachment or detachment of any
adjacent panels of the suspended ceiling.
BACKGROUND
In suspended ceiling structures, it is well known to suspend ceiling panels
from a grid made of inverted T-beam support members. The inverted T-beam
support members extend downward from a permanent ceiling structure, and
enable the ceiling panels to be suspended therefrom in spaced relation to
the permanent ceiling. The suspended ceiling panels are typically
supported from the grid of inverted T-beam members in edge-to-edge
relation, to form a decorative ceiling which conceals the supporting grid
and the permanent ceiling from view. Moreover, the suspended ceiling is
spaced from the permanent ceiling, to allow utility items such as pipes,
ductwork, electrical wiring, etc. to be conveniently located in the hidden
space between the decorative, suspended ceiling and the permanent ceiling.
There are several known ways to attach or suspend ceiling panels from
inverted T-beam support members. Many of the known ways utilize spring
clips or wires to attach and detach the ceiling panels from the inverted
T-beam support members (see e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,463,537; 4,520,607).
Another known way of supporting ceiling panels from inverted T-beam support
members is by means of torsion spring mounts. A series of U-shaped
hardened wires are attached to the ceiling panels. The U-shaped wires are
inserted into pre-punched slots along the horizontal edge of the inverted
T-beam support members. The wires spring outward holding the ceiling
panels against the horizontal face of the inverted T-beam support members.
Such spring systems require special punching of the T-beam support members
to receive the wires of each ceiling panel.
An example of a ceiling system which does not use wires or springs for
suspending ceiling panels from a grid of inverted T-beam support members
is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,760,677. The ceiling system comprises
ceiling panels with specially formed flanges, slots and detents for
enabling the ceiling panels to be attached and detached from the grid of
inverted T-beam members.
Another ceiling system which does not use spring devices for attaching
ceiling panels to inverted T-beam support members is shown in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,736,564. The system includes ceiling panels which are attached to
inverted T-beam supports by an up-and-side motion of the ceiling panels
relative to the inverted T-beam support members to retain the ceiling
panels on the inverted T-beam support members. However, such a system is
"directional" in the sense that each panel has to be attached to the grid
of inverted T-beam support members in a certain way relative to adjacent
panels. Moreover, a ceiling panel near the center of the suspended ceiling
cannot be removed from the grid of inverted T-beam support members without
removing one or more adjacent ceiling panels. Thus, the ceiling panels
have to be attached or detached from the grid of inverted T-beam members
in a special order, especially when it is desired to attach or remove a
central ceiling panel.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention provides a special latch structure for suspending
ceiling panels from a grid of inverted T-beam support members. The latch
structure is designed such that any panel can be attached to or separated
from the grid of inverted T-beam support members in a simple, efficient
manner, and without having to attach or separate adjacent ceiling panels
from the grid of inverted T-beam support members.
The latch structure preferably comprises one or more relatively rigid,
hook-shaped latch members coupled to each ceiling panel. The hook-shaped
latch members coupled to each respective ceiling panel are movable with
the ceiling panel. Moreover, each hook-shaped latch member can tilt, or
pivot, relative to its respective ceiling panel.
Each hook-shaped latch member is biased by gravity relative to its
respective ceiling panel toward a locking position. In the locking
position, a locking portion of the hook-shaped latch member extends away
from the ceiling panel. As a ceiling panel is brought upward against an
inverted T-beam support member, the inverted T-beam support member engages
the locking portion of the latch member. The inverted T-beam support
member exerts a force on the locking portion of the latch member, causing
the hook-shaped latch member to tilt, or pivot, away from its locking
position, to allow the locking portion of the latch member to clear the
transverse leg of the inverted T-beam support member. Once the locking
portion of the latch member clears the transverse leg of the inverted
T-beam support member, the latch member pivots under the influence of
gravity and return to its locking position. When the latch member has
returned to its locking position, the locking portion of the latch member
will engage the top side of the transverse leg of the inverted T-beam
support member, and suspend the ceiling panel from the inverted T-beam
support member.
An access opening is provided in each of the ceiling panels. The access
opening is located so that when the latch member associated with the
ceiling panel is suspending the ceiling panel from the inverted T-beam
support member, the access opening is disposed just below the T-beam
support member. In order to remove a ceiling panel from the grid of T-beam
support members, it is simply necessary to manually push upward on an
adjacent ceiling panel, to uncover the access opening of the ceiling panel
which is to be removed. Any handy implement (e.g., pencil, screwdriver,
etc.) can be inserted through the access opening and forced against the
latch member, to tilt, or pivot, the latch member away from its locking
position, so that the locking portion can clear the inverted T-beam
support member. The ceiling panel can then be readily removed from the
inverted T-beam support member.
The latch structure comprises a relatively rigid hook-shaped member having
a base portion and the locking portion integral therewith. The hook-shaped
member is attached to the ceiling panel by inserting the base portion
through an insertion opening in a side wall of the ceiling panel. The
hook-shaped latch member can tilt, or pivot, about an edge of the access
opening. The base portion is heavier than the locking portion of the latch
member, and biases the hook-shaped latch member, under the influence of
gravity, to its locking position. In the locking position, the hook-shaped
locking portion extends away from the side wall of the ceiling panel,
preferably at an acute angle thereto. The base portion has an integral
retaining tab which prevents the base portion from being separated from
the ceiling panel, unless the hook-shaped member is moved to a certain
orientation relative to the ceiling panel and the retaining tab is
depressed. The retaining tab minimizes the risk of accidental separation
of the hook-shaped member from the ceiling panel.
The further objects and features of the present invention will become
further apparent from the following detailed description and the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic, perspective illustration of a room with a suspended
ceiling;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a grid of inverted T-beam
support members;
FIG. 3 is a schematic, three dimensional view of a ceiling panel with a
latch structure constructed according to the principles of this invention
coupled thereto;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, schematic, cross-sectional view of an inverted
T-beam member with a pair of ceiling panels suspended therefrom by means
of the latch structure of the invention;
FIG. 5 is a schematic, enlarged, three dimensional view of a latch
structure according to the invention;
FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a blank used to form the latch structure of
the invention;
FIG. 7 is a enlarged, side elevational view of the latch member of FIG. 5,
taken from the direction 7--7;
FIG. 7A is a view of the latch member of FIG. 7 hooked about an insertion
opening in a ceiling panel;
FIG. 7B is a view of the latch member of FIG. 7, and schematically
illustrating the manner in which the latch member can tilt or pivot
relative to the opening in the ceiling panel;
FIGS. 8 and 9 are fragmentary, schematic, cross-sectional illustrations of
elements of a suspended ceiling system, showing certain relative positions
of an inverted T-beam support member, a pair of ceiling panels, and a pair
of respective latch members, as a ceiling panel is being attached to the
inverted T-beam support member; and
FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, schematic, cross-sectional illustration of
elements of a suspended ceiling system, showing certain relative positions
of an inverted T-beam support member, a pair of ceiling panels and their
respective latch members, as a ceiling panel is being separated from the
T-beam support member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
As discussed above, the present invention relates to ceiling panels with
special latch structure enabling the ceiling panels to be suspended or
separated from a grid of inverted T-beam support members, without the need
to suspend or separate adjacent panels from the grid of inverted T-beam
support members.
FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a room 10 with a suspended ceiling 12. The
suspended ceiling 12 comprises a series of ceiling panels 14 suspended
from a grid of inverted T-beam support members 16. The inverted T-beam
support members are attached to a permanent ceiling 18 (e.g., either
directly or by attachment means such as cables).
The ceiling panels 14 can be made of any known ceiling panel material
(e.g., aluminum). The ceiling panels 14 are connected to the grid of
inverted T-beam support members 16 by the special latch structure
described below. As seen in FIG. 1, when connected to the grid of inverted
T-beam support members 16, the ceiling panels 14 form a substantially
continuous expanse across the room 10. Specifically, the ceiling panels 14
are connected to the grid of inverted T-beam support members 16 so that
the ceiling panels 14 are disposed in edge-to-edge relationship, with
their decorative portions located below the inverted T-beam grid, and
hiding the T-beam grid and the permanent ceiling 18 from view from below
the ceiling 12. Also, the ceiling panels 14 are spaced from the permanent
ceiling 18, and the hidden space 20 between the ceiling panels 14 and the
permanent ceiling 18 forms a convenient location for utilities, such as
pipes, duct work, electrical wires, etc.
The inverted T-beam support members 16 form a regular grid pattern (see
FIG. 2). Typically, the grid pattern is configured to correspond to the
configuration of the ceiling panels to be suspended therefrom. Thus, when
the ceiling panels have rectangular main body portions the inverted T-beam
support members 16 would be formed into a regular, rectangular grid. Each
inverted T-beam support member 16 has a central portion 16A which extends
vertically downward from the permanent ceiling, and a transverse leg 16B
at the lower end of the central portion 16A. The central portions 16A of
the inverted T-beam support members 16 can be attached directly to the
permanent ceiling, or they can be attached to the permanent ceiling by
means of cables (shown at 22 in FIG. 2). The means for connecting the
inverted T-beam support members 16 to a permanent ceiling are well known
to those in the art, and should require no further description.
Referring to FIG. 3, each ceiling panel 14 has a main, decorative body
portion 14A, and a pair of relatively thin side walls 14B extending away
from the opposite sides of the main body portion 14A. Each side wall 14B
has a stepped configuration. Further, each ceiling panel 14 includes a
pair of end walls 14C extending away from opposite ends of the main body
portion 14A. The main body portion 14A defines the decorative portion of
the ceiling panel 14. The stepped side walls 14B are adapted to support
the special latch structure of the invention, as described hereinafter.
Each ceiling panel 14 is formed of a conventional ceiling panel material.
For example, each ceiling panel 14 can be integrally formed of aluminum,
with the side walls 14B and the end walls 14C formed integrally with the
main body portion 14A.
Each side wall 14B has at least a pair of openings 26, 28 extending
therethrough. A rectangular insertion opening 26 is designed for receiving
the special latch structure of the invention. An access opening 28, spaced
from the insertion opening 26, is designed to enable the latch structure
to be manipulated in a manner which enables the ceiling panel associated
with the latch structure to be separated from a T-beam support member 16,
as discussed below.
The latch structure according to the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 5
and 7. The latch structure comprises a hook-shaped member including a base
portion 30A and a hook-shaped locking portion 30B. The base portion 30A is
relatively flat, with a bent bottom edge 32. The hook-shaped member 30 is
bent relative to the base portion 30B, so that the locking portion 30B
extends at an acute angle .phi. relative to the base portion 30A (see FIG.
7). The base portion 30A is narrower than the hook-shaped locking portion
30B (see FIG. 5). The base portion 30A is longer than the hook-shaped
locking portion 30B and is heavier than the hook-shaped locking portion
30B, for reasons explained below. Further, the base portion 30A has a bent
tab portion 34 which forms a restriction against accidental release of the
hook-shaped latch member 30 from a ceiling panel, as described more fully
below.
Preferably, each hook-shaped latch member 30 is a unitary member. The latch
structure 30 is preferably formed of aluminum, or other metal. The latch
structure is formed by initially forming a relatively flat blank in the
shape shown in FIG. 6, and then deforming the blank into the configuration
shown in FIGS. 5 and 7. When the latch member 30 is bent into the
hook-shaped configuration of FIGS. 5, 7, the latch member 30 has a curved
wall 36 which allows the latch member 30 to hook about an edge 38 of the
insertion opening 26 in the side wall 14B (FIG. 7A), or to rock or pivot
about the edge 38 of the insertion opening (FIG. 7B), as described more
fully below. Specifically, the latch member 30 is "relatively rigid" in
the sense that it can tilt, or pivot, as a rigid body relative to the
ceiling panel 14, as described below.
Each latch member 30 is coupled with a respective ceiling panel 14 by
inserting the base portion 30A of the latch member through the insertion
opening 26 in the side wall 14B of the ceiling panel 14. The latch member
30 is hooked downwardly around the bottom edge 38 of insertion opening 26,
with the base portion 30A of the latch structure on the "inside" of the
ceiling panel 14 and the locking portion 30B of the latch member disposed
"outside" the ceiling panel 14. In this application, reference to the base
portion 30A of the latch member being on the "inside" of the ceiling panel
14 means that the base portion 30B of the latch member 30 is disposed
between the side walls 14B of the ceiling panel 14. Reference to the
locking portion 30B of the latch member 30 being disposed "outside" of the
ceiling panel 14 means that the locking portion 30B is disposed outside
the side walls 14B. When a latch member 30 is hooked downwardly around the
edge 38 of an insertion opening 26, the heavier base portion 30A hangs
straight downwardly under the influence of gravity (see FIGS. 3, 4). The
locking portion 30B extends outward from side wall 14B, at an acute angle
thereto (see FIG. 4). That position of the latch member 30 is referred to
herein as the "locking position", for reasons that will become clear
hereinafter.
When a latch member is hooked downwardly about the edge 38 of an insertion
opening, in the manner described above, the latch member 30 is coupled to
the ceiling panel 14. The latch member 30 will move upwardly or downwardly
with the ceiling panel 14, as the ceiling panel is being suspended from or
separated from an inverted T-beam support member 16.
The bent tab portion 34 of each latch member 30 insures that the latch
member 30 cannot be accidentally dislodged from the ceiling panel 14. The
bent tab portion 34 is located so that the base portion 30A of the latch
member would have to be oriented substantially horizontal in order for the
latch member to be removed through the insertion opening 26. Bringing the
base portion 30A of the latch member 30 to a horizontal orientation
requires moving the latch member 30 against its bias due to gravity.
Moreover, the distance d.sub.2 from the distal end 35 of tab 34 to the
opposite side 37 of the base portion 30B is greater than the width d.sub.1
of the insertion opening 26 (see FIG. 7A). Accordingly, the bent tab
portion 34 of the latch member minimizes the risk of accidental
dislodgement of a latch member from its associated ceiling panel 14.
FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the manner in which a ceiling panel is suspended
from an inverted T-beam support member 16. The ceiling panel 14 located
beneath the inverted T-beam support member 16, and is pushed upwardly
relative to the inverted T-beam support member. In FIGS. 8 and 9, the
arrow 42 illustrates that the right ceiling panel 14 is being pushed
upwardly to suspend the ceiling panel from the inverted T-beam support
member 16. As the ceiling panel 14 is pushed upwardly, the locking portion
30B of the latch member engages the bottom 16B of the transverse leg of
the inverted T-beam support member 16B. The transverse leg 16B applies a
moment to the relatively rigid latch member 30, causing the latch member
30 to pivot or tilt (in the direction shown) to bring the locking portion
30B of the latch member adjacent the side wall 16B (see FIG. 9). When the
latch member 30 is in that orientation it can clear the transverse leg 16B
of the inverted T-beam support member 16, as the latch member 30 moves
upward with the ceiling panel 14. When the locking portion 30B of the
latch member clears the transverse leg 16B of the inverted T-beam support
member, the heavier base portion 30A causes the latch to tilt about the
edge 38 of the insertion opening 26, to bring the latch member 30 back
into its locking position. When the latch member 30 returns to its locking
position, the locking portion 30B of the latch member extends away from
the side wall 14B, and is located to engage the top side of the transverse
leg 16B of the inverted T-beam support member 16. In that position, the
latch member 30 suspends the ceiling panel 14 from the inverted T-beam
support member (see FIG. 4).
Of course, while a single latch member 30 has been described, it should be
clear to those of ordinary skill in the art that such latch members can be
coupled with both side walls 14B of a single ceiling panel (see FIG. 3).
Moreover, more than one latch member can be attached to each side wall of
a ceiling panel. The latch members 30 are designed to suspend the ceiling
panel 14 from a plurality of inverted T-beam support members 16 by pushing
the ceiling panel upward relative to the inverted T-beam support members
16. Further, it should be clear that each ceiling panel 14 can be attached
to the grid of inverted T-beam support members without regard to, or
without needing to disturb, any adjacent ceiling panels.
When a series of the ceiling panels 14 are attached to the grid of inverted
T-beam support members 16, the main body portions 14A of the ceiling
panels 14 will typically extend in edge-to-edge relationship, and form a
generally continuous expanse across the room or area they cover (see FIGS.
1 and 4). The decorative main bodies 14A of the ceiling panels are the
only visible parts of ceiling, and hide the inverted T-beam support
members 16 and the space 20 between the ceiling panels and the permanent
ceiling, when viewed from beneath the ceiling (see FIG. 1).
Referring to FIG. 4, when an array of the ceiling panels 14 are attached to
the grid of inverted T-beam support members, the access openings 28 in the
side walls 14B of the ceiling panels are located below the transverse legs
16B of the inverted T-beam support members. The side walls 14B, and hence
the access openings 28, would be generally hidden from view from below the
ceiling panels 14.
In order to remove one ceiling panel 14 from the ceiling 12, an adjacent
panel is pushed slightly upward to uncover the access opening 28 in the
ceiling panel to be removed (see the upward movement of the adjacent panel
depicted by arrow 48 in FIG. 10). Any convenient implement 52, i.e., a
pencil, pen, screwdriver, can be then inserted through the access opening
28. Because the latch member 30 hangs with its base portion 30A near the
access opening 28, when an implement 52 is inserted through the access
opening 28, the implement can easily push against the base portion 30A,
and cause the latch member 30 to tilt upward, against its gravitational
bias, to bring the locking portion 30B of the latch member away from its
locking position and adjacent the side wall 14B of the panel (i.e., into
the orientation shown in FIG. 9). In that orientation, the latch member 30
can clear the transverse leg 16B of the inverted T-beam support member, to
enable the ceiling panel 14 associated with the latch member to be simply
removed from the inverted T-beam support member. This provides a
convenient and simple way of separating a ceiling panel from the grid of
inverted T-beam support members, without having to remove other ceiling
panels from the ceiling.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a simple and efficient latch
structure for suspending and releasing decorative ceiling panels from a
grid of inverted T-beam support members. With the principles of the
present invention in mind, it is believed that various obvious
modifications of the invention will become apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the art.
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